The Pacific Scandal occured in 1873, when memos between John A. Macdonald, George Etienne-Cartier and the wealthy Hugh Allan were exposed, as well as the American involvement in the Canadian Pacific Railway. In exchange for financial support for his election campaign, Macdonald promised Hugh Allan the CPR contract. In one memo written to Allan, Minister of Defense George Etienne-Cartier, Macdonald and Hon. Mr. Langevin asked for a total of $60,000 to support the election campaign. Soon after the Conservatives (Macdonald's party) won the election by a slim margin, the contents of these notes became public. It was also learned that Allan had a business partnership with American Jay Cooke, and that the CPR company was actually controlled by Cooke. When the Pacific Scandal was revealed, Macdonald at first denied everything. However, after more evidence surfaced, he was forced to resign.
Quiz Yourself
1. When did the Pacific Scandal occur?
2. What was the Pacific Scandal?
3. What were the results of the Pacific Scandal?
The Pacific Scandal occured in 1873, when memos between John A. Macdonald, George Etienne-Cartier and the wealthy Hugh Allan were exposed, as well as the American involvement in the Canadian Pacific Railway. In exchange for financial support for his election campaign, Macdonald promised Hugh Allan the CPR contract. In one memo written to Allan, Minister of Defense George Etienne-Cartier, Macdonald and Hon. Mr. Langevin asked for a total of $60,000 to support the election campaign. Soon after the Conservatives (Macdonald's party) won the election by a slim margin, the contents of these notes became public. It was also learned that Allan had a business partnership with American Jay Cooke, and that the CPR company was actually controlled by Cooke. When the Pacific Scandal was revealed, Macdonald at first denied everything. However, after more evidence surfaced, he was forced to resign.
Quiz Yourself
1. When did the Pacific Scandal occur?
2. What was the Pacific Scandal?
3. What were the results of the Pacific Scandal?